Pianotech

Ran across this "beast" the other day. (really old piano, "new" action encounter for me)  Hope some of you folks that have been at this a bit longer than I can offer some advise and/or tips to regulating this thing.

 Historicity: School district acquired this piano as a donation from local church.  1883 Chickering - (approx. 6' 8")   This instrument is currently residing in the choir room at one of the district high schools, accompanist is having some issues with the touch/feel/repetition of this dude.  (Probably because she has been playing on a 1976 KG5C in the theater at this school, and a '74 Kawai KG 2C at another high school.) 

See attached photos and short video. 

Money has been allocated for regulation - Sooooo how does one go about regulating this particular action.  Or would it be wiser/less frustrating/financially prudent to use allocated money to regulate the 1924 Baldwin K (rebuilt 20+ years ago: Pinblock, pins strings action) which has been the choir room piano prior to the arrival of Mr. Chickering.

Thanks for any and all input.

 Video

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Chickerings are a challenge. First you must complete all repair work.

I think that belongs in a museum rather than an educational institution, you're better off putting the resources into the Baldwin that's only 100 years old. Sheesh. Even the Kawai's are pushing 50. 

Contact Ken Eschete. 

See this video for performance capacities of the Brown action: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKM58jz9NHw>

Search YouTube "Chickering Brown Action Piano" for videos demonstrating function and regulation of the Brown action.

Your photos seem to show an action in good condition. You may want to consider keeping it, maybe even enjoying it. 

If the rest of the piano is in good condition, I would definitely keep it. However, I would probably try to find a different home for it. Somewhere where the owner appreciates the historic value of this piano and maybe even knows how to "work" this particular kind of action. Bring in a school is rough on every piano, and it's not an ideal environment for one of that age. Perhaps you could talk to them about finding a new home for it, maybe with one of the local music professors or piano teachers who will truly appreciate what it is. 

I had one of the Brown type 1 and type 2 actions. Wasn't very difficult. As Norman says, a lot of the work is done on the bench with weights on the backchecks. You can talk to Ken Eshete, but Bill Shull might be a better resource as he has several of these in the museum. 

I am interested in knowing the serial number, scale which may be in raised letters/numbers etc. Its definitely a Brown Action and something that Brown brought to the Chickering factory when he became employed there. There are a few pages on the Brown Action in the small Tuners Companion/Guide available from Schaff. A technician from West Virginia went to Peru to work on a Brown Action Chickering , installed new bass strings. You can send me a message and I will give you his name and contact information. The action looks pretty good and hammer felt is new.

I bet the piano has an interesting background and I can let you know where it was first shipped from the factory . It would have been built in the Boston factory at 791 Tremont Street Boston. I know of one Brown action Chickering that in Greenwood, SC. It may take some time to get it right but I understand if it is regulated properly the action is quite responsive . You are also inheriting what was done and not done from the rebuild that was done

This sounds like a great Journal topic. Anyone want to put something together?

Sound like we have a good source of photos if the OP's piano stays where it is. Not sure if the Journal has published anything on the subject--I'll have to search after the day's tunings.

Thank you all for the information and contacts.  Just noticed i didn't edit pics and get them oriented correctly, sorry about that. :)

Next questions - If this were your piano/project would you go through and replace felts (or buckskin) on contact points in the action or just go with what is there?  (Knowing there is limited funding for the process, or replace and absorb cost as an "educational expense" for learning about the Brown Action.)

Theoretically speaking, what is a ballpark valuation on an instrument of this nature?  Case/cabinet is in great shape, a couple dings here and there but overall great. 

Thanks again